Obituary of Dennis Michael Lacina

Dennis M. Lacina passed away in his home in Whitestone, Queens on August 29, 2024.  He was 73 years old.  He suffered a brief bout with cancer, which only rapidly progressed in the last few months of this summer. 

Dennis was a loving companion to Patricia (Patsy) Reilly until her death in 2017.  They shared a great life together with many happy years living in Forest Hills, Queens, and then in Whitestone.  Dennis and Patsy were big horseracing fans and spent many sunny afternoons at Belmont Racetrack, winning more often than most.  He especially looked forward to the Belmont Stakes every year and was an annual attendee for 30+ years.

Dennis was born in New York, spending most of his childhood in Glen Oaks, Queens.  His family included a sister, Theresa, still living, and two brothers, Eddie and Stephen, both deceased.  He attended Martin Van Buren High School and was a star baseball player there.  He was a left-handed pitcher and first baseman.  He was good enough to be asked to a tryout for the NY Mets and was always proud of having played at Shea Stadium. 

After finishing school Dennis married wife, Yvonne. They shared two daughters, Janine and Suzanne, before divorcing.  For work, Dennis eventually joined the Post Office, and he became a lifetime employee there.  He maintained longtime friendships with a few of his PO colleagues, both before and after his retirement. 

In his years with Patsy, Dennis became a kind and generous “brother-in-law” to her siblings, Edna, Linda and John, and to their spouses.  He was also a loving “uncle” to her extended family of nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. 

He will be dearly missed by all of them.